THE RIFT VALLEY (MID-SOUTH-EAST)

The Rift Valley system is the only natural site that can be seen from space. Here varied plant and wildlife is scenically interspersed with glamorous bodies of water and diversified marine and bird life.

The Ethiopian Rift Valley divides Ethiopia into two almost equal parts. It extends from Mozambique to the Middle East for about 2,500km and runs from the south-eastern to the north-western tips of Ethiopia. It encompasses unique bio-diversity: the lowest point on earth is located in the north-east (the Danakil Depression is 116m below sea level); Ethiopia's second highest peak (Mount Tuludimtu at 4373m above sea level) is located in the south-east. About four national parks, more than six crater lakes, and rivers with breathtaking marine and bird life are found at either end. The Rift Valley is also rich in various land forms such as gorges, rolling plains, cliffs, and escarpments.

The cradle of humankind, homeland of Lucy, the oldest hominid fossil on earth at 3.5 million years, this valley is still an ideal hunting ground for culturally rich ethnicity. The most colorful cultures and people, which account for more than 50% of the total number of tribes, are found in this part of the country. The most colorful and best preserved cultural peoples, the Mursi, Hamer, Karo, Konso, Erbore and others inhabit this area.

The Rift Valley lakes provide pleasant areas for bird watchers in particular and nature lovers in general. Big game birds such as flamingos, pelicans, storks, herons and cormorants have settled in these lakes. They also provide nesting grounds for other birds: starlings, weavers, eagles, kingfishers, love birds, sun birds, swallows, swifts, plovers, etc.

The Awash, Netch Sar, Dinsho (Bale Mountains) and Mago National Parks are home to exotic wildlife. Apart from the diversified flora and fauna, animals ranging from big game to small mammals can easily be seen in their natural habitat: elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, kudu, nyala (endemic), jackal, baboon, oryx, gazelle, bushbuck, etc.